Hatching date please

[Jo Gridley]

Hello, I incubated 23 cournix quails eggs at 8.30am on the 11th August 2012, could someone please advise me of the hatching date, as there is still no sign of hatching yet. Thank you. Jo

 

[Fat Daddy]

I would start look'n for chicks the 28th. You could have pips now or any time now. If your temps were right, tomorrow and wen. should be your hatch days. Good luck, Bill

 

[Jo Gridley]

Thank you so much for your advice. Jo

 

[Jo Gridley]

Please please help 23 eggs in incubator, 10 have pipped, first one pipped 28 hours ago, did see it moving 5 hours ago but nothing since. What shall we do. please please help.xx

 

[Jo Gridley]

Bill, Big Daddy, where are you, please help.x

 

[Fat Daddy]

Your still ok, not to worry just yet. It is not unusual for chicks to pip long before hatching... Alot of it is outta your hands. The health of the hens that laid the eggs has a MAJOR role in the eggs and how they hatch. Some will pip the shell and quit. See die here. Some will pip, sit for a very long time, and have curled feet when they do hatch.... Most that pip will yield a chick as a rule thou! Just sit on your hands a bit longer... Once the first one hatches, Katie bar the door cuz they will start pop'n out with a quickness most likely. Now keep a eye out for the ones that "zip" completely and don't get all the way out. These have a tendency to "shrink wrap"... We'll cross that bridge when I'm not on a IPhone! Keep your hands in your pocket and good luck! Bill

 

[Jo Gridley]

wobbling stopped, we have not opened incubator since Friday night, now tuesday night. incubating in brinsea eco 20, now worried humidity may by getting too low.x

 

[Fat Daddy]

My small bator a eco20, so Im familiar. I would guess your right, your water is likely low or gone by now. I use a squeeze bottle to fill the water wells. I just squirt warm water right thru the bottom of the egg tray. Its quick and your ready to put the lid back on. If you have no Hygrometer in the bator, I would suggest you fill water wells as you can. Keep in mind this a really poor time to open the bator, but its not a "killer", just put a wiggle in it and get the lid back on as quick as you can. I scoop out game bird chicks as they are dry, every few hours or so, and get them to a brooder with food and water. So its not a lot different.Your due day is today, so your still not "late", just nervous! Chances are, if you were to open the eggs that have pipped. you would find a live chick with blood vessels still around the inside of the shell and a wee bit of yoke sac still to be absorbed. They will hatch when its time. Add a bit of water and wait. Now this time tomorrow, if you still have no chicks, I would start to be concerned...But then you wait some more.... If your temp was just a bit on the cool side, it may take a while longer. Watch the white membrane thats just under the shell where the chick pipped. if it starts to darken, say a gray or yellowish, There is a chance its drying out and some shrink wrapping may be going on. If you have a "mister" type spray bottle handy, give the eggs a misting while you have the lid off to add water. It should help you here. No Worries, Bill

 

[Jo Gridley]

Bill, thank you for everything once again, I will let you know the outcome tomorrow. Jo.xx

 

[Jo Gridley]

Hi Bill

First one was born at 2am and number 7 has just been born at 7.45am, I have definitely learnt that patience is the key thing. How long before I move them to the brooder. Thank you. Jo x